It’s a bug that even entomologists won’t be able to tell you
anything about.

In fact, it might be a good bet to find yourself a
handicapper or railbird to get the 411 on this bug that’s new to these parts.

That’s because the bug who has arrived in Maryland is Michael
Ritvo.

A bug rider who has already made quite a first impression
upon its arrival here in Maryland.

Apprentice rider Michael Ritvo did just last week at Laurel
Park when the 20-year-old guided Winter Lady to victory in the 8th race Friday
at Laurel Park, his first Maryland mount.

BTW, what’s the deal with all this bug stuff?

Well, apprentice riders like Ritvo, are affectionately referred to as bug riders because of the asterisk that follows the jockeys name in the racing program looks just like a bug.

Promising apprentice Michael Ritvo, the leading bug rider at
Gulfstream Park, has just moved his tack to the mid-Atlantic as the 20-year-old
plans to ride at Laurel Park, Delaware Park, Parx Racing and Penn National
during the fall and winter months.

This bug’s plan is to ride mostly at Delaware until the meet
ends in late October to get his name out there and then focus on the remainder
of the big fall meet here at Laurel.

Ritvo.Now why does
that name sound familiar?

Maybe because Michael’s mom is Kathy Ritvo.The same Kathy Ritvo who trained recently
retired Mucho Macho Man (above with Kathy), the 2013 Breeders’ Cup Classic champion. The first
woman trainer to win the Breeders’ Cup Classic to boot. The same Mucho Macho Man who she brought to
Baltimore for owners Dean and Patti Reeves to run in the 2012 Preakness.The same Kathy Ritvo who had a heart
transplant 6 years ago!

But like the pitchman says on TV, that’s not all, as the
racing bloodlines run deep in Michael’s family.

His father Tim is a former jockey (1983-89) and trainer
(1996-2010), who now is president of Gulfstream Park!

Michael (above, on his way to the winner's circle for the first time at Laurel Park) hopes to follow in a long line of Eclipse Award
winning apprentice jockeys (bug riders) who have cut their teeth on Maryland tracks.

We’re talking a literal who’s who of jockeys who over the
last several decades have done just what Michael Ritvo is doing this fall at Laurel Park,
coming to Maryland in hopes of “bugging-out” a standout career in the irons!